Rotary engine.



E. s. & F. P. CAMERON.

ROTARY ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 14, 1908.

915,828. I Patented Mar. 23, 1909.

$ 34 3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Twas-5E5. x ./NVEN TDRE,

x 6mm; $.Cmmeron X X4 yowesflcmuerm E. S. & P. 1:". CAMERON.

ROTARY ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 14, 1908. v 91 5,828, Patented Mar. 23, 1909.

Z6 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

E. s. & P. F. CAMERON.

ROTARY ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 14, 1908.

Patented Mar. 23, 1909.

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Appl cation flQ AP sea some inmen.

Tc'all whamit concern,- Be it known" that we, Evnnn'rr S. GAMnnon and Fonans'r F. CAMERO citizens of the sive action of ignited gases and the-object of our invention -is to. roduce an improved structure by which t e expansive force or impulse is given at each quarter revolution of the engine. j-

Further objects of the invention are to provide a one-throw engine-.crank-to act as an intake for the explosive mixture; means mounted on said crank whereby the burned gas is expelled during the timea'new charge of explosive mixture is drawn in, and means whereby the exhaust gas mayfbe used to increase the motive power of the engine.

The invention consists of the novel construction, arrangement; and combination of parts, as hereinafter described and specifically set forth inthe claims.-

rent for the spark trslly b, by bolts-c t. 'ihe'twr oppositegides of In the accompanying drawings, Figure'l represents a side elevation of our improved rotary engine with its casing removed. Fi' 2 is a top plan view of the engine-Mani. Fig; 3 is an end view of the latter. Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view of an ordinary circuit breaker for receiving the electric curlug wire connections. Fig. 5 is a front e ovation of the circuit breaker. Fig. 6 is a central sectional view of the engine, as mounted in its casin Fig. 7 is a side elevation of one ofthe douli e. iston' structures for the engine-crank.

ig. 8 is a sectional view taken inline 8.- 8.

of Fig. '7. Fig. 9 is'agplanview, artlydn section and partly in. elevation, 0ft '0 en ihe and casing, and Fig. 10 is a-plan view 0 the engine with its casing removed.

, Like reference characters indicate like parts throughout the views of the drawings.

Qur improved rotary engine has a cen square-shape each of four sides of this case. projects an in; teg'ral annular flange afl' upon which is secured the open-end portion of a gas-cylinder a Spe fic i n e we Icessrran ed crank case Ta, which isin cross-sect on, and frorn latentedjlarch 28, 1909.

the crank case a are closed by bonnets d and .e, which aresecured to said case by holtsf, These bonnets d and e have central inte a1 hubs dfand e arran ed oppcsite'each 0 her and each hub provi ed with a journal bearing to receive the shaft ortions of a station:

ary forked-crank. This crank members-.- designated b reference letter in Figs. 2 and 3, has a ong shaftv portion of tubular form to fit the journal bearing 3 of thehofh net-hub d, while the opposite shaft portion, of said member 9', is made solid, as at 9 to fit the journal bearing a of the bonnetehub e. The crank=pin g, of the member 9, is adapted to impart a reciprocating move? ment to two double pistonstructures for the four gas-cylinders b, and centrally secured on said crankpin g is a cam 1 adapted to im= part a movement, in one direction? to a valve-disk carried by each ,piston of each gas-cylinder. "Ihe engine or power-shaft c has one end made fast to .the huh eof the bonnet e, and said shaft '5 has its axial center in-alinement with the axial centers of the shafts g. and g of the crank member Carried by the crankin g at each side of the cam-h, are two dou le piston structures each of which are made alike nd as follows: A square-shaped block 1' is be ed to fit loose u on the crank-pin 9*, and said block is divided in halves and secured together by screws 1. tween a yoke 10 (see Figs. 7 and 8) in the form of two guide-plates k, k whose end ortions are secured togetherby bolts k, k. Esntrally of each guide-plate la is an integral extension 7c having a screw=threaded shank portion 1: to enga ,e thereby in the threaded hubs l, l of cylind er-pistons l, I. As the en- 'gine revolves each pair of pistons l, l of a ,yoke structure, as described, is caused to 'move in their respective gas cylinders b, b at a right angle to the pair of pistons of the next adjacent yoke structure. A channel is formed in eachyoke extension is to act as a guideway, as k in Fig. 8, to receive the flattened head 'm of a movable stem m which passes throughthe shank portion-k of each yoke extension is, and on the outer end of each stem m is secured a su iemental.

iston m, in the manner shown in i s. 7 and The slidable head moi each va ire-stern m is drilled therethrough to receive a bolt n, on which is looselymounted a roll 0, adapted to come incontact with-the face of the crankcam h. Each bolt it passes freely through llhis block 7' is free to slide ha the slotted opening 7c formed longitudinally in each yoke-extension k, and the projecting portion of said bolt is screw-threaded to receive a nut n for securing the roll in place,

in. the manner shown in Fig. 8.

Each gas cylinder b is provided with a row of admission-ports b, b arranged near the outer face of each annular flange a of the crank case a, and the outer portion of each cylinder is surrounded by an enlarged integral head b which is also provided with a row of transfer ports b 11 The head I) of each cylinder terminates with an integral exhaust nozzle b which is provided with a narrow combustion chamber 1) located centrally of each cylinder. An exhaust-valve p is movable transversely of each cylinder 1), in the nozzle thereof, and each exhaust-valve is secured on a stem p which passes through an integral hub 12 of each nozzle 1). A clearance a? is maintained betweeneach annular flange a of the crank case a and inner portion of each cylinder 1), so as to provide an intake passage for the gas to the admission ports 6 I Rods g, g are loosely mounted in integral hubs a, a of the crank case a, and on the 'ends of each rod'are secured a pair of rocklevers 1', 1', one free end of which is slotted, as at 1' tofit u on the flattened end portion p of each ex aust-valve-stem while the other free end of said levers is ifurcated to receive aroller s for contacting upon the face of a small cam 't secured on the tubular portion of the stationary crank-shaft g.

A spring wire a is employed to close each exhaust valve 10 after each explosion of gas, said wire having one end secured by a boit'c of each cylinder, from whence the wire bends 40 in a loop form and has its opposite end resting beneath a pin 12 secured in each exhaustva ve-stem p, in the manner shown in Fig. 1.

Each nozzle 1) is provided with a screwthreaded plug 10 to ermit ready removal of an exhaust-valve w en the seat of same requires to be reground. A firing spark plug w is mounted in the plug 10 of each nozzle,

and each spark plug) has its i nition points 'ustion c amber b asw within the com shown.

made fast to the bonnet d of the en ine crank case a, and the construction of t e circuit breaker is as follows: A disk at of non-conductonmaterial has four metallic sections x x inlaid therein, and each section is provided with a binding-post x for securing each electric wire connection a toaspark plug w. The disk :0 is made fast on a metallic drum 0& which surrounds the small fixed camt that operates the exhaust-valves, and said drumv is securedby screws :0 to the bonnet d of the engine crank case 6,. I Four openings :0" are provided in the drum 2: to perm t movement of the respective rollers s, 8 upon.

A circuit breakers .(see Figs-. l' and 5) is the cam t. As the circuit breaker, as described, revolves with the engine, its contact sections 2: come in contact with a fixed metallic blade 22 secured in the side vs all of the engine-casing, and this bladereceives the electric current from the usual spark coil. (Not shown).

This improvedengine is inclosed in a circular casing y, which is made in halves and secured to ether by bolts y, y, and said casinr is provi ed with centrally arranged journa bearings, as at y g in Fig. 9, to respectively receive the engine-shaft i and tubular portion of engine-crank g. This engine casing g, which is designed to be held in a stationar condition, has its "lower half provided uitii blades y extending between its side walls, as shown in Figs. 6 and 9.

An intake-pipe z connects u ith the end of the tubular portion 9 of the engine-crank, andg' said pipe leads from a carbureter (not shown) to supply the crank case a u ith the explosive mixture, which passes from said carbureter, through said pipe and through said crank.

The gas-cylinders b and their nozzles b are each provided with the usual thin flanges b to increase the heat radiating surface of said cylinders and said nozzles and effect a' more rapid cooling of the same.

Having described the structural parts of 'our improvement, the operation of the engine is as follows: The engine-crank, which is designated as a whole by reference letter 9 in Figs. 2'and 3, is mounted in a fixed position in the bearing y of the stationary engine-casing y. Referring to Fig. 6, the engine revolves in the direction indicated by the arrow 2 and said figure illustrates the front double piston-structure in a horizontal position and as carried to its extreme left throw, by means of the crank g, while at the same time the rear double piston-structure is brought to a vertical position and held midway its stroke by said crank. As the engine revolves to carry the front double piston-structure to a horizontal position, as shown, the charge of explosive mixture will be compressed within the left hand co1nbus tion chamber 5 after which the fixed contact blade :0 Wlll'COIIlG in contact with a metallic section :0 of the circuit breaker, thus making an electric current and cause the charge of ex losive mixture to explode at this point of t e engine. Prior'to explosion of charge the right hand piston l, of the front double piston-structure, end of its down strokevor next to the gaschambera of the crank case a, and as the engine continues to revolve the right hand supplemental piston m will be forced beyond the admissionports b, 'by reason of the roll 0 of said latter piston comin in contact with the face of the fixed cam of the en gins-crank. When the front double pistonwill be at the i right hand su plemental piston m is forced beyond the a mission ports I), b means of the roller 0 in contact with cam a charge is drawn between both .pistons l and m, thereby causing the supplemental piston m to expel all of the burned gas left by former explosion in the right hand cylinder 1) out through its nozzle b, when the main piston I will then follow up the said supplemental iston to compress the charge around the atter through the transferports b? into the combustion chamber b still referring to Fig. 6, the charge of explosive mixture being drawn in by the action of the supplemental piston 171,, between the latter and its adja: cent piston l, as the engine continues to revolve we will assume the charge of gas is contained at a point a, at the lower portion of the rear vertical double piston structure. The exhaust-valve at this lower portion of the engineis wide open topermit the full pressure of exhaust to strike upon the blades y of the stationary casing, and by the time this rear piston structure begins to take a horizontal position, its lower supplemental piston m will have moved midway over the transfer orts 6 to the position shown at the leftof Fig. 6, saidsupp emental valve being prevented from further movement by means of studs m which are secured in its side and arranged to strike against the enlarged head I) of the cylinder 1), thus a clearance is maintained for the explosive mixture carried by the adjacent piston l to pass through the transfer ports b into the combustion-chamber b.

By means of the slidable supplemental pistns' m m carried byeach piston structure, the burned gas is entirely expelled beforei'a new charge of ex losive mixture is comPressed 'in the com ustion-chamber, thus preventing liability of, ex losion.

Each explosion is-had at eac up stroke or quarter revolution of the engine, and as there are always at least two nozzles exhausting direct upon the blades of the engine-casing, this exhaust pressure is utilized to give an extra impulse to the engine. As one double piston structure acts to compress a new charge of explosive mixture and at the same time expel the burned gas, the other double piston structure acts to carry a new charge of explosive mixture and at the same time cause the pressure ofthe exhaust to force directly upon the blades of the enginecasing, and so on, consecutively throughout the revolution of the piston structures. Thus it seen that the pistons and ma separate to draw in achar e between them, and each main piston 'l nfo ows. up each supplesitely disposed airs on said crank case, each mental iston m to compress the charge around t e' latter through. the transfer ports b into the combustion chamber b As the engine revolves cold air is drawn through inlet openingsformed in the casing y and surrounding the tubular shaft 9 as at points 0, o in Fig.- 9, and this air acts as a cooling blast u on theexterior surfaces of the four cylin ers b, and the exhaust gas from said cylinders mixes with this cold'air and passes out through exhaust openings formed near the peripheral surface of the lower half of said casing y, as at points 0 0 in Fig. 6.

Having thus described our invention,what i we claim, is

1. In a rotary engine, the combination with a supporting casing, of a fixed crank shaft mounted therein; a crank case rotatably mounted on said crank shaft, one end of said shaft being provided with an, explosive mixture intake in open communication with the crank case a power shaft carried by said crank case; four cylinders secured in oppositely dis osed pairs on said crank case, each cylinder aving a combustion chamber in its head and an integral exhaust nozzle leading therefrom, each cylinder being also provided with admission ports arranged near to and in 0 en communication with the interior of t 1e crank case and with transfer ports in its walls arranged'near the combustion chamberytwo double piston structures carried-by the crank, each piston of a structure being movable in one of two oppositely disposed cylinders; a supplemental piston mounted on the end of each ofsaid pistons: means to move forward each supplemental piston independently of its main piston at a certain part of the cycle to adniiha charge Y through said admission ports to thespace between said istons, said jpistons being adapted at anot ier part of the cycle to force said charge around the tion 0 amber; a spark plug in each combustion chamber; means to cause a spark at each plug once in each revolution of the engine; an exhaust valve in each cylinder nozzle, and means to open and close each exhaust valve.

'2. In 'a rotary engine, the combination with a Supporting casing, of a fixed crank shaft mounted therein; a crank case rotatably mounted on said crank shaft, one end of said shaft being provided with an explosive mixture intake in open communication with the crank case; a power shaft carried by said crank case; four cylinders secured in oppocylinder provir ed with admission ports arranged near to and in open conununication with the chamber of the crank case, each cylinder having a combustion chamber in its head and an integral exhaust nozzle leadsupplemental piston through the transfer ports into the combus ing therefrom, and each cylinder provided I with transfer orts arranged near the comspace between said pistons, and said pistons adapted at anotherpart of the cycle to force said charge around the supplemental piston throu h the transfer ports into the combustion c amber; a spark plug in each colnbustlon chamber; a circuit reaker havwire' connection to each lug; an exhaust mg 'va ve in each cylinder nozz e; a second cam fast on the crank shaft, and means actuated by the last mentioned cam to open. and close each'exhau'st valve. 7

a 3; In ,a rotary engine, the combination I with a supporting casing, of a fixedcrank shaft mounted therein; acrank case rotatably mounted onsaid crank shaft, one end of said'shaft being provided with an explosive mixture intake in open communication-with the crank case a power shaft carried by said crank case; four cylinders secured in oppo- 45. cycle, while'the opposite-"main piston folthe charge around the latter through the" v transfer ports into the combustion chamber;

.-a sp ark plug in each combustion chamber;

mental I p stono the structures; means to move forsitelydisposed (pairs on said crank case, each cylinder provi ed with admission ports in opencommunication with the interior of the crank 'case,,each cylinder having a combustion chamber in its head and an exhaust nozzle leading therefrom, and each cylinder also provided with transfer ports near its combustion chamber; two double piston structures carried by the crank and the pistonsof each structurebeing movable in two oppositely disposed cylinders; a suppleistonmounted on the end of each ward each supplemental piston whereby a charge 'isdrawn throughthe admission ports between said'pistons, atfa certain part of the lows up-its supplemental piston to compress f means to cause as ark at each plug once in each revolutlono the engine; an exhaust valve in each cylinder, and means to open and closeeachexhaust valve.

' 4. In a rotary engine, the combination with astationary two-part circular casing having a series of integral blades arranged transf shaftbeing provided with an explosive mixversely therein, of a fixed crank shaft mounted n said casing; a crank case rotatably mounted on said crankshaft, one end of said 1 ture intake in open communication with the crank case; a power shaft carried by said crank case; four cylinders secured in oppo- H sitely disposed pairs-onsaid crank case and iston struc-- each cylinder having an exhaust nozzle in its head and arranged to discharge against the blades of said casing whereb the exhaust pressure isutilized to dpropel t e engine, and each cylinder-provide with admission ports, transfer orts and a combustion chamber; two double piston StIUCtzI res carried by said crank shaft and each iston being movable in one of two oppositely disposed c linders; a supplemental piston mounted on t e end of each piston; means to move forward each supplemental piston independently of its main piston at a certain part of the cycle to admit a charge through the admission ports to the space between said pistons, said pistons being adapted at another part of the cycle to force S8,lCl charge around the supplemental piston through the transfer ports into the combustion chamber; means to cause a s ark at each'plug once in each revolution 0 the engine; an exhaust valve in each cylinder,

and means to open and close each exhaust valve.

5. In combination, the two-part circular casing y having transverse interior blades y; the closed'case a; the fixed crank shaft g supporting said case and provided with an explosive mixture intake in open communication with said case; the cam it fast on said shaft; the power shaft i carried b said case; the four cylinders b, b, b, b, eac having a head b and an exhaust nozzle b leadm therefrom, and each cylinder also rovide with admission ports 6 and trans er. orts 6 two double piston structures, each structure comprising a block 7' loose upon first mentioned shaft, the yoke is arranged to guide said block and said yoke having oppositely disposed extensions k, k each provided with a channel, as 71: and each extension having a shank ortion beyond its channel, a main piston fast upon each shank portion of the oke-extensions, and the two main pistons o a structure adapted tomove in oppositely dis osed cylinders, a stem m mounted in the s ank portion of each yokeextension and each stem having an integral head m slidable in the channel of the latter,

a supplemental piston m fast on each stem, and a roller 0 mounted on the head of each stem to contact with said cam in moving forward each supplemental piston; an exhaust valve p mounted in the combustion chamber of cache linder; the camt to actuate andforce open eac exhaust valve; a spark plu w protruding into each combustion cham er, and a circuit breaker :0 having wire connection to each plug. I

In testimony whereof we aflix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

EVERETT S. CAMERON. FORREST F. CAMERON. Witnesses:

O. T. HANNIGAN, PATRICK H. DANA. 

